The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1887-07-29

Croft thought that the Doors, overawed by
the advance Of an overwhelming force, meant
to give In without further fighting; but Bessie
shook her head.
One day-it was the same on which John
and jess had left Pretoria-A Kafiir brought
news that the armistico was ~ an end, that
the English were advancing up 70 the Mex q
Thousands and were going to force 1t ON the
morrow and relieve the garrisons-a piece OF
intelligence that brought some Of the old
light back to Bessie's eyes As for her uncle,
he was jubilant
1.-THE tide is going to turn at last, my love,
he said, land we shall have our innings. Well,
II Ia time we should, after all the shame and
through Upon my word, for the last two
months / have been ashamed to call myself
an Englishman. However, there Is an end OF
1t now. knew that they would never give
In and desert u.s." and tho old man straight
ened his crooked back and slapped his chest
and looked as proud and gallant as though he
were rs instead OF 70.
The rest Of that day passed without any
further news, and SO did the following two,
but on the next, which was March %, the
storm broke
About II o'clock In the forenoon Bessie was
employed upon her household duties US usual,
or rather she had just finished them Her
uncle had returned from making his after
breakfast round upon the farm and was
standing in the sitting room, his broad felt
hat in one hand and red pocket handker-
chief In the other, with which he was polish
ing his bald head, while be chatted to Bessie
through the open door.
"No news Of the advance, Bessie dear"
"No, uncle, she replied, with sigh, and
her blue eyes filing with tears, for she was
thinking of one Of whom there was also no
news.
"Well, never mind. These things take a
little time. especially with our soldiers, who
move 80 slowly. dare say that there was
some delay waiting for guns or ammunition
or something. expect that we shall hear
something by tonight
He got as far as this, when suddenly the fig
ure of Jantje appeared, flying up the passage
in the extremity Of terror and haste.
~De Booren, baas. de Booren!" The Beers,
master, the Boers) he shouted. 1.-THE Beers
are coming with q wagon, twenty Of them or
more, with Frank Muller at their head on
his black horse, and Hans Coetxee, and the
wizard with one eye with him. Twas hiding
behind tree at the end Of the avenue, and l
saw them coming over the rise. They ale
going to take the place, and, without waiting
to give any further explanations, he slipped
through the house and hid himself up some
where at the back out of the way. for Jant.sc,
like most Hottentots, was sad coward.
The old man stopped rubbing his head and
stared at Bessie, who was standing pale and
trembling in the doorway. Just then lie
heard the patter Of running feet OH the drive
outside, and looked out Of the window. 1t
was caused by the passing of some half dozen
KafIirs who were working on the place, and
who, ON catching sight of the Beers, had
promptly thrown down their tools ard were
flying to the hills Even as they passed u
shot was fired somewhere from the direction
of the avenue, and the last Of the KaGirs. a
lad of about twelve, suddenly threw up Lis
hands and pitched forward OH his face, with
q bullet between his shoulderblades.
Bessie heard the shout of "Good shot, good
shotI" and the brutal laughter that greeted
his fall, and the tramping Of the horses as
they came up the drive
"Oh, uncle!" she said, "what shall we dor
The old man made no answer at the mo-
ment, but going to a rack upon the wall,
reached down q Wesley Richards falling
block rife that hung there Then he sat
down in wooden arm chair that faced the
French window opening on the Yaranda, and
beckoned to her to come to him
swe win meet them 80, !" 'he7 Ify "hey'
shall see that we are not ARA q them.
Don't be frightened, dear, they will not dare
to harm us; they will be afraid of the conse-
quences of harming English people"
The words were scarcely out Of his mouth
when the cavalcade began to appear in front
of the window, led, as Jantje had said, Ivy
Frank Muller on his black horse, accompanied
by Hans Coetzee on the fat pony and the viii
famous looking Hendrix mounted on monde
script sort Of animal, and carrying gun and
an assegai in his hand. Behind these were
body of about fifteen or sixteen armed men,
among whom Silas Croft recognized most of
his neighbors, by < pose side he had lived for
years in peace and amity.
Opposite the house they stopped and began
looking about. They could not see into the
room at once on account Of the bright light
outside and the shadow within.
II fancy you will find the birds flown,
nephew" said the fat voice OF Hans Coetzee.
"They have got warning of your little visit !"
'They cannot be far" answered Muker. II
have had them watched, and know that they
have not left the place. Get down, uncle,
and look in the house, and you too, Hendrix !"
The Kaffir obeyed with alacrity, tumbling
out of his saddle with all the grace Of q sack
Of Goals, but the Boer hesitated.
4Uncle 6ilasi an angry man." he ventured ;
1he might shoot il be found me polling about
his house." u H.
aDon't answer met" Numbered Mule; got
down and do as bid you'll"
"Ah, what devil Of a man" mutmnrcd
the unfortunate Hans Is he hurried to olTy.
Meanwhile Hendrix the one eyed bud
jumped upon the veranda and was psering
through the Windows
"Here they are, haas; here they .arelV he
sang out; athe old cock and the pullet, tool"
and he gave Q kick to ths window, which, be-
ing unattached, swung wids open, revealing
the old man sitting there in biz wooden arm
chair with Bessie standing ct his ode, bis rifle
OH his knees. and holding biz fair hatred niece
BY the hand. Frank Muller dismountel and
came OH to the veranda, and behind him
crowded up dozen or moro Of his followers.
"What is it that you want, Frank Mailer,
that you come to my houss with al thess
armed meni" asked 6ilas Croft from his
chair.